ENGLISH
REFERENCE

appeal

n. · v.
US //əˈpiɫ// UK //ɐpˈiːl// ap·peal
  1. 1 legal request for review (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    a formal request to a higher court to change a decision made by a lower court.

    a formal application to a superior court for the review and reversal of a decision made by an inferior court.

    Example

    The lawyer filed an appeal after the judge gave a very harsh sentence.

    Example

    The defendant's legal team prepared a lengthy appeal, citing several procedural errors that occurred during the initial trial.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'file', 'lodge', or 'win'.
  2. 2 request for help (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a serious or urgent request for help, money, or information.

    an earnest or urgent request for public support, financial assistance, or information.

    Example

    The charity launched an emergency appeal to help the victims of the flood.

    Example

    The police made a televised appeal for witnesses to come forward with any information regarding the missing vehicle.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 attractiveness (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the quality of being interesting or attractive to people.

    the power or quality of attracting or stimulating interest.

    Example

    The main appeal of the job was the chance to travel around the world.

    Example

    The film's enduring appeal lies in its ability to balance sophisticated political commentary with genuine human emotion.
    • repulsion
  2. 4 to request a legal review (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    to formally ask a higher court to change a legal decision.

    to apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.

    Example

    The company decided to appeal against the fine in the high court.

    Example

    The prosecution indicated that they would appeal the verdict, arguing that the judge had misdirected the jury on a point of law.

    Usage

    In British English, speakers usually 'appeal against' a decision; in American English, they often 'appeal' the decision directly.
  3. 5 to be attractive (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to be interesting or attractive to someone.

    to be attractive or interesting to a particular person or group.

    Example

    The idea of working from home really appeals to me.

    Example

    The new marketing campaign was specifically designed to appeal to younger consumers who value sustainability over brand name.

    Usage

    Always used with the preposition 'to'.
  4. 6 to ask for help (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make a serious or formal request for help or support.

    to make an earnest or formal request to a person or authority for a decision or help.

    Example

    The government appealed to the public to stay calm during the crisis.

    Example

    The organizers appealed to local businesses for sponsorship to ensure the festival remained free for the community.
Etymology 1

From Middle English apel, appel (“formal accusation brought in court; a challenge to trial by combat; an appeal to a higher court or authority; plea (for mercy, protection, etc.); pealing (of bells)”) [and other forms], from Old French apel (“a call”) (modern French appel (“a call; an appeal”)), from apeler (“to call; to call out”), from Latin appellāre (“to address as, call by name; to drive, move to; to land or put ashore”), alternative form adpellāre, from ad- (prefix meaning ‘to; towards’) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂éd (“at; to”)) + pellere (“to drive, impel, push; to hurl, propel; to banish, expel; to eject, thrust out”) + -āre, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European pelh₂- (“to approach”), from *pel- (“to beat; to drive; to push”). Doublet of appel.

Etymology 2

From Middle English apelen, appelen (“to accuse; to make a formal charge before a court, etc., impeach; to challenge to trial by combat; to apply to a higher court or authority for review of a decision; to call upon for a decision, favour, help, etc.; to call by a name”) [and other forms], from Old French apeler (“to call; to call out”); see further at etymology 1.

Word family
Idioms3 entries

© 2026 English Reference